scholarly journals Bacteria from the Genus Arcobacter Are Abundant in Effluent from Wastewater Treatment Plants

2020 ◽  
Vol 86 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jannie Munk Kristensen ◽  
Marta Nierychlo ◽  
Mads Albertsen ◽  
Per Halkjær Nielsen

ABSTRACT Pathogenic bacteria in wastewater are generally considered to be efficiently removed in biological wastewater treatment plants. This understanding is almost solely based on culture-based control measures, and here we show, by applying culture-independent methods, that the removal of species in the genus Arcobacter was less effective than for many other abundant genera in the influent wastewater. Arcobacter was one of the most abundant genera in influent wastewater at 14 municipal wastewater treatment plants and was also abundant in the “clean” effluent from all the plants, reaching up to 30% of all bacteria as analyzed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Metagenomic analyses, culturing, genome sequencing of Arcobacter isolates, and visualization by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) confirmed the presence of the human-pathogenic Arcobacter cryaerophilus and A. butzleri in both influent and effluent. The main reason for the high relative abundance in the effluent was probably that Arcobacter cells, compared to those of other abundant genera in the influent, did not flocculate and attach well to the activated sludge flocs, leaving a relatively large fraction dispersed in the water phase. The study shows there is an urgent need for new standardized culture-independent measurements of pathogens in effluent wastewaters, e.g., amplicon sequencing, and an investigation of the problem on a global scale to quantify the risk for humans and livestock. IMPORTANCE The genus Arcobacter was unexpectedly abundant in the effluent from 14 Danish wastewater treatment plants treating municipal wastewater, and the species included the human-pathogenic A. cryaerophilus and A. butzleri. Recent studies have shown that Arcobacter is common in wastewater worldwide, so the study indicates that discharge of members of the genus Arcobacter may be a global problem, and further studies are needed to quantify the risk and potentially minimize the discharge. The study also shows that culture-based analyses are insufficient for proper effluent quality control, and new standardized culture-independent measurements of effluent quality encompassing most pathogens should be considered.

2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 315-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Wang ◽  
J. Peng ◽  
B. Wang ◽  
R. Cao

An on-site study on the operational performance of a combined eco-system of ponds and SF constructed wetland for municipal wastewater treatment and reclamation/reuse in Donging City, Shandong, China was carried out from January 2001 through October 2003. The removal efficiencies for various main parameters were: TSS 84.8±7.3%, BOD5 87.2±5.3%, CODCr 70.2±18.6%, TP 52.3±23.1%, and NH3-N 54.8±23.9% with effluent concentration of TSS 9.12±5.12 mg/l, BOD5 6.44±4.58 mg/l, CODCr 42.8±6.7 mg/l, TP 0.94±0.27 mg/l and NH3-N 7.95±2.36 mg/l. In addition, the removal efficiencies for faecal coliforms and total bacteria were >99.97% and >99.998% respectively, which well meet Chinese National standards for effluent quality of municipal wastewater treatment plants. The composition of TSS was closely related to CODCr and BOD5 variations, and nitrification-denitrification is the major mechanism of nitrogen removal both in ponds and in wetlands. In addition, sedimentation also played an important role in the removal of TSS, nitrogen, phosphorus and BOD5. The removal efficiencies of various parameters, the number of species and biomass of biological community in the system increased gradually with the ecological maturation.


2004 ◽  
Vol 49 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.-I. Gil ◽  
E. Choi

The recycle water from sludge processing in municipal wastewater treatment plants causes many serious problems in the efficiency and stability of the mainstream process. Thus, the design approach for recycle water is an important part of any biological nutrient removal system design when a retrofit technology is required for upgrading an existing plant. Moreover, the application of nitrogen removal from recycle water using the nitritation process has recently increased due to economic reasons associated with an effective carbon allocation as well as the minimization of aeration costs. However, for the actual application of recycle water nitritation, it has not been fully examined whether or not additional volume would be required in an existing plant. In this paper, the addition of recycle water nitritation to an existing plant was evaluated based on a volume analysis and estimation of final effluent quality. It was expected that using the reserve volume of the aeration tank in existing plants, recycle water nitritation could be applied to a plant without any enlargement. With the addition of recycle water nitritation, it was estimated that the final effluent quality would be improved and stabilized, especially in the winter season.


Pathogens ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghaju Shrestha ◽  
Sherchan ◽  
Kitajima ◽  
Tanaka ◽  
Gerba ◽  
...  

This study aimed to identify the bacterial community in two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and to determine the occurrence and reduction of Arcobacter, along with virulence genes (ciaB and pldA). A total of 48 samples (24 influent and 24 effluent) were collected at two WWTPs in southern Arizona in the United States, monthly from August 2011 to July 2012. Bacterial DNA extract was utilized for 16S rRNA metagenomic sequencing. Quantification of Arcobacter 16S rRNA gene was conducted using a recently developed SYBR Green-based quantitative PCR assay. Among 847 genera identified, 113 (13%) were identified as potentially pathogenic bacteria. Arcobacter 16S rRNA gene was detected in all influent samples and ten (83%) and nine (75%) effluent samples at each plant, respectively. Log reduction ratios of Arcobacter 16S rRNA gene in Plant A and Plant B were 1.7 ± 0.9 (n = 10) and 2.3 ± 1.5 (n = 9), respectively. The ciaB gene was detected by quantitative PCR in eleven (92%) and twelve (100%) of 12 influent samples from Plant A and Plant B, respectively, while the pldA gene was detected in eight (67%) and six (50%) influent samples from Plant A and Plant B, respectively. The prevalence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in WWTP effluent indicated the need for disinfection before discharge into the environment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Song ◽  
Cheng-Ying Jiang ◽  
Zong-Lin Liang ◽  
Bao-Jun Wang ◽  
Yong Jiang ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Microorganisms in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) play a key role in the removal of pollutants from municipal and industrial wastewaters. A recent study estimated that activated sludge from global municipal WWTPs harbors 1 × 109 to 2 × 109 microbial species, the majority of which have not yet been cultivated, and 28 core taxa were identified as “most-wanted” ones (L. Wu, D. Ning, B. Zhang, Y. Li, et al., Nat Microbiol 4:1183–1195, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-019-0426-5). Cultivation and characterization of the “most-wanted” core bacteria are critical to understand their genetic, physiological, phylogenetic, and ecological traits, as well as to improve the performance of WWTPs. In this study, we isolated a bacterial strain, designated SJ-1, that represents a novel cluster within Betaproteobacteria and corresponds to OTU_16 within the 28 core taxa in the “most-wanted” list. Strain SJ-1 was identified and nominated as Casimicrobium huifangae gen. nov., sp. nov., of a novel family, Casimicrobiaceae. C. huifangae is ubiquitously distributed and is metabolically versatile. In addition to mineralizing various carbon sources (including carbohydrates, aromatic compounds, and short-chain fatty acids), C. huifangae is capable of nitrate reduction and phosphorus accumulation. The population of C. huifangae accounted for more than 1% of the bacterial population of the activated sludge microbiome from the Qinghe WWTP, which showed seasonal dynamic changes. Cooccurrence analysis suggested that C. huifangae was an important module hub in the bacterial network of Qinghe WWTP. IMPORTANCE The activated sludge process is the most widely applied biotechnology and is one of the best ecosystems to address microbial ecological principles. Yet, the cultivation of core bacteria and the exploration of their physiology and ecology are limited. In this study, the core and novel bacterial taxon C. huifangae was cultivated and characterized. This study revealed that C. huifangae functioned as an important module hub in the activated sludge microbiome, and it potentially plays an important role in municipal wastewater treatment plants.


2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (19) ◽  
pp. 6589-6600 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenifer B. Walke ◽  
Matthew H. Becker ◽  
Myra C. Hughey ◽  
Meredith C. Swartwout ◽  
Roderick V. Jensen ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTCurrently, it is estimated that only 0.001% to 15% of bacteria in any given system can be cultured by use of commonly used techniques and media, yet culturing is critically important for investigations of bacterial function. Despite this situation, few studies have attempted to link culture-dependent and culture-independent data for a single system to better understand which members of the microbial community are readily cultured. In amphibians, some cutaneous bacterial symbionts can inhibit establishment and growth of the fungal pathogenBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and thus there is great interest in using these symbionts as probiotics for the conservation of amphibians threatened byB. dendrobatidis. The present study examined the portion of the culture-independent bacterial community (based on Illumina amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene) that was cultured with R2A low-nutrient agar and whether the cultured bacteria represented rare or dominant members of the community in the following four amphibian species: bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus), eastern newts (Notophthalmus viridescens), spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer), and American toads (Anaxyrus americanus). To determine which percentage of the community was cultured, we clustered Illumina sequences at 97% similarity, using the culture sequences as a reference database. For each amphibian species, we cultured, on average, 0.59% to 1.12% of each individual's bacterial community. However, the average percentage of bacteria that were culturable for each amphibian species was higher, with averages ranging from 2.81% to 7.47%. Furthermore, most of the dominant operational taxonomic units (OTUs), families, and phyla were represented in our cultures. These results open up new research avenues for understanding the functional roles of these dominant bacteria in host health.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 744-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Andersson ◽  
P. Ek ◽  
M. Berg ◽  
J. Grundestam ◽  
E. Lindblom

Like many other large cities, Stockholm is facing increased urbanization with densification of infrastructure as a result. At the same time, implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and the EU Water Framework Directive is expected to result in more stringent effluent quality demands. The current situation gives rise to new challenges for the municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This paper describes how two of Sweden's largest municipal water organizations; Stockholm Vatten and Syvab, will face these challenges using ultrafiltration (UF) membrane bioreactor (MBR) technology. The effluent requirements for the rehabilitated plants are expected to be tightened to 6 mg/l and 0.2 mg/l for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), respectively.


2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Ding ◽  
Lorenz Adrian ◽  
Yongzhen Peng ◽  
Jianzhong He

ABSTRACT Anaerobic ammonium oxidizing (anammox) bacteria are widely distributed and contribute significantly to the global nitrogen cycle. Traditionally, identification and quantification based on the 16S rRNA gene were considered not reliable because of low 16S rRNA gene sequence identity within Brocadiales. Here we hypothesize that by using appropriate primers and methodology, 16S-based detection and quantification of anammox bacteria can be accurate. We modified an existing 16S rRNA gene-based primer pair (Amx694F–Amx960R) by changing one nucleotide (Amx694F position 18, G→C) (Amx694PF–Amx960R) so that they match the sequences of most Brocadiales anammox bacteria, and evaluated the modified primer pair with 29 freshwater samples from microcosms, anammox reactors and wastewater treatment plants of various geographical origins. The primer pair showed high specificity in detection and quantification of anammox populations in samples that contained >0.1% anammox bacteria. Quantification of anammox abundance by quantitative real-time PCR and delineation of anammox species by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis agreed well with amplicon sequencing results. A clear shift of anammox population towards ‘Candidatus Kuenenia’ was observed under laboratory cultivation conditions. With the help of amplicon sequencing, we demonstrated that 16S rRNA gene-based anammox-specific primers are able to achieve qualitative and quantitative monitoring of anammox communities in wastewater treatment plants and natural freshwater environments.2007;73:5261–7.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 520-533
Author(s):  
E. Gavalakis ◽  
P. Poulou ◽  
A. Tzimas

Wastewater management in Greece is being regulated by the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (UWWTD) and as a result many wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been constructed during the last 30 years and are in operation. The present work aims to outline the progress regarding the implementation of the specific environmental policy, present deficiencies and future challenges, while an evaluation of the performance is conducted for small-medium and large WWTPs focusing on the influent and effluent quality characteristics. In Greece the existing level of treatment provided is related to secondary treatment for the removal of organic load, which in most cases is supplemented by nitrogen removal (for more than 85% of the WWTPs) and phosphorus removal. With respect to the characteristics of the raw municipal wastewater these correspond to typical low to medium strength sewage. Compliance to the UWWTD effluent standards for BOD5, COD and SS is achieved in more than 90% of the WWTPs, while in terms of nutrients, 80% of the WWTPs efficiently remove nitrogen and approximately 45% of the WWTPs remove phosphorus.


Author(s):  
Zahra Abbasi ◽  
Mehdi Ahmadi

Introduction: Macrolides are a group of antibacterial agents. Given their clinical importance, and the consistent rise in resistance among pathogenic bacteria, macrolides have been the targets of extensive research. Materials and Methods: This review considered the number of macrolides in different wastewater and the removal of these drugs. The antibiotics were frequently detected in influents and effluents, ranged from ng/L up to lower μg/L. In influent, the highest concentrations of clarithromycin (6080 ng/L), roxithromycin (>103 ng/L), erythromycin (3900 ng/L), and azithromycin (1949 ng/L) were detected in Croatia, Chinese, USA, and Singapore municipal wastewater treatment plants, respectively. Results: The removal efficiency of macrolides during wastewater treatment processes varies and is essentially dependent on a combination of macrolides physicochemical properties, location of municipal wastewater, and the operating conditions of the treatment systems. The application of alternative techniques, including membrane separation, activated carbon adsorption, advanced oxidation processes, biodegradation, and disinfection were the dominant removal routes for macrolides in different wastewater treatment processes. A combination of these techniques can also be used, leading to higher removals, which may be necessary before the final disposal of the effluents or their reuse for irrigation or groundwater recharge. Conclusion: Many antibiotics cannot be removed completely in wastewater treatment processes and would enter into the environment via effluent and sludge. The molecular structure of macrolides and their load-bearing capacity has led to the advantage of biological treatment over other treatments. However, the main part of the treatment has been done using biological treatment.


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